Optimizing the Flow of Rubber Latex in the Rubber Glove Supply Chain

摘要

The logistics costs for the rubber glove supply chain in Thailand are directly affected by transportation costs from the rubber plantation areas, to the latex concentration industry, to the glove manufacturing factories, and to the seaports where the product is exported. Traditionally the plantation areas have been located in the southern, eastern, and north-eastern regions of the country. The latex is concentrated at facilities near the plantations, and then manufactured into finished products at factories in central and southern Thailand. The factories are situated near the shipping ports through which the product will then be exported. Since 2003 Thailand has expanded rubber plantation areas by one million rai (160,000 hectares) in the northeast and northern regions of the country. These new plantations began supplying latex in 2010 and will reach full production by 2014. This paper presents a forecasting of future production and applies mathematical models for designing the supply chain network. By incorporating these new sources into the supply chain analysis, useful guidelines can be determined to best manage the industry.